Since her breakout role in David Lynch’s 1986 classic, Blue Velvet, Dern has astounded audiences and critics alike as Rose in Rambling Rose, Ellie Sattler in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, Bobbi in Wild and most recently as the rage-fuelled Renata Klein in Big Little Lies. In Audible’s Little Women Dern narrates as Louisa May Alcott, bringing together a cast of perennial audio favourites including Suzanne Toren (Narrator – Pulitzer Prize-winner, The Overstory by Richard Powers), Lauren Fortgang (Narrator – I Thought It Was Just Me by Brené Brown), Allison Hiroto (Narrator – 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami),Emily Bauer (Narrator – The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin) and Carly Robins (Narrator – All The Lovely Pieces by J.M. Winchester) amongst others.

With their father away fighting in the American Civil War, the four March girls are facing a lean Christmas with their mother. But the sisters’ close bond and determination to make the best of things enables them to find happiness despite their hardships.

As the years go by we follow their fortunes as they journey into womanhood. Meg the beauty, Jo the tomboy, shy Beth and precocious Amy will encounter adventure, hardship, joys and disappointments, and learn to meet the challenges of life as they become independent and make their way in the world. While marriage and motherhood may beckon for the sisters, their most enduring love is always for each other. First published in 1868 and never out of print since, this iconic coming-of-age tale is a perennial favourite that has touched the hearts of generations of fans.

Laura Dern said: “Being part of Little Women has completely converted me into an Audible addict!” says Laura Dern. “I’ve fallen in love with audio – it’s a completely different acting experience. Audio is fantastic in its ability to let stories resonate through the voice alone. It’s so private and intimate, you share the humor, irreverence and bravery of the writing with the listener in such a personal way.”

Steve Carsey, Director of Original Content at Audible UK, said: “The opportunity to breathe new life into literary classics, so that we can introduce them to new audiences as well as fans of the original writing, is something we take very seriously at Audible. Honouring and enhancing the original writer’s work, whilst introducing innovative story telling techniques, takes care, skill and talent. Laura’s sensational performance as the narrator, supported by an amazing cast and immersive sound design, brings this classic and much loved story to life. It transports listeners to the aftermath of the American Civil War and allows us to become personally acquainted with Amy, Jo, Beth and Meg. We’re incredibly proud of this authentic, emotive and hugely engaging production.”

Little Women is the latest in a series of best-in-class Audible Original dramas released by Audible in recent months. Other highlights include Heads Will Roll, starring Kate McKinnon, Emily Lynne, Meryl Streep and Peter Dinklage; Northanger Abbey starring Emma Thompson, Douglas Booth and Eleanor Tomlinson; and Jeff Wayne’s The War of The
Worlds: The Musical Drama, starring Michael Sheen, Taron Egerton and Theo James.

Little Women is available to pre-order now at www.audible.co.uk and will available to download in full from 23rd December 2019 (one credit for Audible members or free with Audible’s 30-day trial).